ABSTRACT
Raluvhimba is the mysterious, monotheistic deity of the Ba-Venda, and has been identified by them with Mwari, the Mashona god, who reveals himself at Mbvumela in the Matoba Hills of Matabeleland. There is a cave at Luvhimbi where Raluvhimba was wont to manifest himself. The mountain Tsha-wa-dinda, the place of the messengers, where the cave is situated, was a stronghold of the Vhatavhatsinde people, under Chief Muthivhi. This district was later taken from Muthivhi by Rambura, one of the sons of Thoho-ya-Ndou, who fled from the Nzhelele river at the time of the disintegration of the original tribe; the ceremonies in connexion with Raluvhimba no longer take place there. The BaVenda, like all other votaries of Mwari, have implicit faith in his power as a rain-maker; this belief is stimulated by the large priesthood connected with the cult, elevation to whose ranks only occurs in response to a definite sign.
